Obituary: James WhittenburgATKINS — James Michael Whittenburg, 59, of Atkins passed away in his home, surrounded by family on Feb. 19, 2015. “Mike” was born in Russellville on June 29, 1955, to Edna Mae and James Whittenburg. He was a graduate of Atkins High School, American College of Surgeons Emergency Medical Technician school, and successfully completed the A&M Private Pilot Ground School. Mike worked as an Electrician for AP&L for 21 years, and then pursued his dre...

Obituary: Mary TuckerMary Louise Tucker, 86, of Pottsville departed this life Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at the Arkansas River Valley Hospice Home. She was born June 20, 1928, in Pottsville to Frank and Reba Robinson Wheeler. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Mace Lemoyn Tucker; one son, Joel Tucker and a brother, Jimmie Wheeler. Louise was a retired LPN and a charter member of the Pottsville Assembly of God. Survivors include two daughters and...

Obituary: Shirley BigbeeDARDANELLE — Shirley Ann Weaver Robinson Bigbee, 83, of Delaware died Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2015, at her home. She was born Aug. 11, 1931, at Topeka, Kan., to the late Verl and Eva Reasoner Weaver. She was a member of the New Blaine Church of Christ and was a beautician for over 50 years. She loved sewing, traveling, gardening and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, C.L. Robinson Jr.; secon...

Obituary: Flavel CunninghamDARDANELLE — Flavel Charles (Budgie) Cunningham, 94, passed away at the Ola Nursing Home on Feb. 17, 2015. He was a member of the Plainview Church of Christ and was retired from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. He was born Sept. 11, 1920, to the late Ervin and Mae Cunningham. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Author Lloyd Cunningham and Smokey Cunningham; one sister, Lorene Farris; two nephews, Jerry Farris and Larry...

Obituary: William DuncanATKINS — William C. Duncan, 68, of Clarksville passed away peacefully, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, at Johnson County Medical Center. He was born Sept. 1, 1946, at Brent, Ala., the son of Dalton and Rosie Walker Duncan. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Andrew Cook; sister, Jewel; and two brothers, Lonnie and Haywood. He is survived by his wife, Wendy Duncan of Clarksville; daughter, Janet Beavers and husband Gene of Lamar; two sons, Cas...

Obituary: John Paul JonesTYLER, Texas — Services for John Paul Jones, 74, of Tyler, Texas, are scheduled for 3 p.m. today at Grace Community Church with Rev. Paul Campbell officiating. John Paul passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2015, in Tyler. He was born on Jan. 13, 1941, in Pottsville to the late Lewis Franklin and Emogene Dixon Jones. He was an honored Vietnam veteran of the United States Navy. He was a life-long Arkansas Razorbacks fan, a devout Christian and enjo...

Sequoyah work begins, gym floor coming in AprilAlthough recent winter weather forced the closure of the Russellville School District two days, the district's major construction projects are still on pace to be completed in August. Van Horn Construction Vice President Chad Weisler updated the Building and Grounds Committee on the projects prior to Tuesday's Russellville Board of Education meeting. Weisler said weather isn't putting much of a damper on the $2.5 million Sequoyah Elementary ad...

Alliance considers hiring PR firmJeff Pipkin, Arkansas Valley Alliance for Economic Development (AVAED) and Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce president, told the AVAED during its regular meeting Thursday he contacted Mitchell Communications Group to inquire about help with public relations issues. He said the firm, who worked on the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market project, gave him a one-page summary of some actions it might take if hired as well as an estimate of $12,000-$1...

Greathouse named Officer of the YearOfficer James "Brett" Greathouse was named the 2014 Officer of the Year and awarded a plaque during a ceremony Wednesday at the Russellville Police Department (RPD). "This award is given to an officer who has distinguished himself through either an accumulation of exceptional contributions or a single incident, and whose actions clearly place the individual above others of equal rank or grade," Chief Jeff Humphrey said as he presented Greathou...

News Briefs (Feb. 20, 2015)Rabies vaccination deadline nearing Beginning Saturday, all animals within the city limits of Russellville must have a rabies vaccination administered by a licensed veterinarian. This law has been in effect for many years, but a fine of $100 for lack of rabies vaccination was passed by the Russellville City Council on Jan. 22. The owner of the animal must provide proof the animal has been vaccinated. Baseball Sausage and Pancake Breakfast The ...

House members support abortion medicine restrictionLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers gave final approval Thursday to a measure that would ban doctors from remotely distributing abortion pills and advanced another proposal allowing for felony battery charges to be lodged against someone who harms an unborn child. Banning the delivery of abortion pills through telemedicine was the top legislative priority for anti-abortion groups this year, with Republicans in all key state offices. Gov. Asa...

Half-million of Wal-Mart's US workers to get pay raisesBENTONVILLE (AP) — Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is hoping its decision to boost workers' paychecks will help it boost its bottom line. The nation's largest private employer announced on Thursday that it's giving a raise to about half-million U.S. workers as part of a $1 billion investment that includes changes that Wal-Mart says are aimed at giving workers more opportunities for advancement and more consistent schedules. The changes come as the compan...

Lawmakers order schools to teach cursive writingLITTLE ROCK (AP) — All that's needed to return cursive writing classes to Arkansas classrooms is a signature by Gov. Asa Hutchinson — and if he signs it, it will probably be in cursive. The state Senate on Thursday gave final legislative approval to a bill requiring public schools to teach cursive to students by the end of the third grade. Several districts dropped handwriting courses after Arkansas adopted tougher standards for mathematics an...

Proposal to divert money to Arkansas highways advancesLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A plan to eventually divert more than a half-billion dollars in tax revenue coming from auto sales and other car-related items to Arkansas' highways advanced to a House vote Thursday, raising objections from Gov. Asa Hutchinson and advocacy groups who say the move would threaten other state needs. The House Public Transportation Committee endorsed the proposal, which would gradually divert the money from the state's general ...

FedEx breaks ground on Little Rock distribution facilityLITTLE ROCK (AP) — FedEx is breaking ground on a 300,000 square-foot ground distribution facility in southwest Little Rock that will employ about 160 people. Arkansas Business reported the center is scheduled to open in 2016. The plant will be able to process 15,000 packages an hour and will join 560 other ground distribution points throughout the country. Arkansas Economic Development Commission spokesman Scott Hardin says the project was aid...

Suspect who confessed to girl's murder has been clearedGOSNELL (AP) — Prosecutors say 18-year-old Christopher Sowell is no longer a suspect in the murder of 11-year-old Jessica Williams. The Jonesboro Sun reported that DNA evidence presented to prosecutors indicates the 18-year-old was not involved in the girl's murder. The murder charge against Sowell was dropped on Feb. 11. Williams was found dead in a waterway near Big Lake in rural Mississippi County in 2013. The newspaper reports that Sowell ...

House supports repeal of fluoridation requirementLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas water providers could opt-out of providing cavity-fighting fluoride under a bill passed by the state House. Members voted 60-34 Thursday and sent to the Senate a bill to roll back a 2011 law requiring municipalities, rural water systems and other providers that serve more than 5,000 residents to put fluoride in the water supply. The state Department of Health and Arkansas Children's Hospital oppose the bill. Opponen...

Senate gives final OK to computer science classesLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Senate has given final approval to a bill that would direct all high schools in the state to offer a class in computer science. The bill passed on a 32-0 vote Thursday and gives Gov. Asa Hutchinson another legislative victory. He had promoted high school computer science courses since early in his gubernatorial campaign last year. Hutchinson said he was pleased and that he was hopeful Arkansas would be a nationa...

3 suspects in custody, face moonshine and meth chargesMURFREESBORO (AP) — Authorities say three people who allegedly made moonshine whiskey and methamphetamine are in Pike County jail pending their first court appearance. The Texarkana Gazette reported three suspects were taken into custody on Feb. 11 after a moonshine still was found under their kitchen sink. Chief Deputy Sheriff David Shelby stopped the suspect's vehicle for expired tags when he noticed that the suspects seemed nervous. A searc...

Lawsuit that claimed excessive force by police dismissedLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit that alleging four policemen, including former Little Rock police officer Josh Hastings, used excessive force while conducting an arrest. Cedric McSwain's claimed that Hastings, Sherwood police officer Kevin Webb, and Arkansas State Police Troopers Hunter Glover and Brad Lann beat him when he was walking home from a birthday party. He also said the officers conspired to arrest him even...